Two Treatises of Government
Locke critiques the concepts of absolute monarchy and divine right, arguing instead for a government founded on natural rights, individual freedom, and the consent of the governed, which protects the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and property.
License
Public Domain
Originally published
1690
Latest release
Oct 9, 2026
Pages
316
Format
6 × 9 in (152 × 229 mm)
Book type
Paperback nonfiction
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Book I: Of Government
- I. Of Slavery
- II. Of Paternal and Regal Power
- III. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Creation
- IV. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28
- V. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by the Subjection of Eve
- VI. Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Fatherhood
- VII. Of Fatherhood and Property Considered Together as Fountains of Sovereignty
- VIII. Of the Conveyance of Adam’s Sovereign Monarchical Power
- IX. Of Monarchy, by Inheritance from Adam
- Of the Heir to Adam’s Monarchical Power
- XI. Who Heir?
- Book II: Of Civil Government
- I. Of Power
- II. Of the State of Nature
- III. Of the State of War
- IV. Of Slavery
- V. Of Property
- VI. Of Paternal Power
- VII. Of Political or Civil Society
- VIII. Of the Beginning of Political Societies
- Of the Ends of Political Society and Government
- Of the Forms of a Commonwealth
- XI. Of the Extent of the Legislative Power
- XII. Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth
- XIII. Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Commonwealth
- XIV. Of Prerogative
- XV. Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together
- XVI. Of Conquest
- XVII. Of Usurpation
- XVIII. Of Tyranny
- XIX. Of the Dissolution of Government